Ok, im currently have all my parts for a new HID retro. Ive purchased a new set of 08 headlamps that come stock with halogen projectors already. My last retro was using the 05-07 headlamps and the shroud method. I liked it because it was more unique and custom looking. I picked the 2008 headlamps because i figured it would be a more easier method since its almost a direct projector swap. On the 2008 headlamps it will probally come accross as another stock looking headlight unless i turn them on then they will see. The 05-07 headlamps with probally be with the BMW e46 bi-xenon shrouds which is what i used last time. I have all my materials needed for the retro at the persons house thats going to do the labor. I told him to hold off for a while untill i make up my mind. I wanted to see what yall thought or would like to see?

Im stealing this pic from Noodle on here.
2005-07 using BMW e46 bi-xenon shrouds...
or the 2008 headlamps, im sure everyone knows what they look like. thanks for the help!

 

pesonally ive been looking in to doing this and i think the 05-07 lights look really good with the retro fit

 

I'm in the exact same boat your in except i was planning on doing my own retro fit. the retro fit on the 08 lights are almost a direct swap. so thats where I'm leaning right now. i wonder if anyone tried to pull the projectors out of an 08 camary because they are as twice a good as the ones on the current 08 lights projector lights on the tc.

 

would you be able to do this man? take the 08 projectors and retrofit them wtih HID projectors, BUT use the 05-07 cover? so you get rid of the bubble?

 

I think the 08's look great, use those.

 

do the retro on the 08 projectors but add another set to the highbeams......using the shrouds.....now that would be the best......may cost a little more to get another for the highs but the look would be nice.

 

too much work and i would have to buy another set of 05-07 headlights for it.

well im using Infiniti FX35 projectors which are bi-xenon (aka hi and low beam). So no point in that and i dont want 4 projectors. Just double the work which i dont want.

Im leaning towards the 08 and get it done....still dont know for sure?

 

You also generally dont want a separate set of HID projectors for Hi-beam simply because projectors dont just turn on instantly to their full output. They take a few seconds to warm up. You dont usually have the hi beams on for an extended period of time so they end up being rather useless

 

Get a Quad Setup using the reflective based headlights (pre 0
You can do s2000 and fx35 with an e30 lense swap (TFX isn't great as many on hidplanet think and if you want a sharper cutoff, use the e30)
Anyways, the 08's look like ebay headlights so that's a no-no really. however, on the positive side, swapping projectors on the new ones will be easier if you have the tools.

 

I dont think he wants to do the work of putting in quad HIDs or swapping out stock 08's.

 

If it is up to me, I would either do 05 - 07 with fancy shrouds, Or do a quad for 08. If you're not doing a quad for 08, then at least install halogen projectors to the highbeams so your retro would look distinctive and unique. It would be wasteful to invest money into a project and people cannot distinguish it to appreciate it. Despite your improvement in vision, which is a primary reason for retro, it doesn't look unique.

 

thats quite easy but the problem is will the newly installed lens effect the output of the hid projector i plan on installing. i really not trying to bake my headlights twice just to find out.


i may do an 04-07 headlight retro fit down the road

 

why not? fx's are cheap as well as valeos. A cheap quad will give you some pretty good intensity hence it uses 4 projectors. i'd his setup

 

Its not about the cost, its about the work he would have to do

 

it'd look sweet regardless though lol

 

im going to go with the 05-07 headlamps. I just purchased a set of e46 bi-xenon shrouds. Now i need a set of 05-07 headlamps.

 

didnt the 08's win in your poll?

 

yea, i also had another poll on HIDPlanet.com and the 05-07 won 10-7.

 

05-07 bro, 08 imo don't look as clean.

 

they look nice on SW imo. Other than that they kinda come off as eBay lights the more i look at them. Glad im going the 05-07 route!